Samba Mix

Class

Dicotyledoneae

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Solanaceae

Order

Solanales

Genus

Capsicum

Species

annuum

Description

Belonging to the botanical genus Capsicum, which includes sweet peppers and chillies, as well as ornamental varieties. It can be grown both in pots and in beds, and requires cultivation practices such as fertilisation and watering, which must be carried out appropriately and at the correct times to achieve an excellent final yield in terms of both quality and quantity. Kitchen garden varieties are, in fact, grown for food due to their fruits—known as berries—which have an unmistakable flavour and vary in shape, colour and heat. In ornamental varieties, the fruits – which come in different shades such as orange, yellow and red – make the plant particularly pleasing to the eye; as they are also often edible, they combine quality and beauty as well as practicality, placing the chilli in a category halfway between ornamental and vegetable crops.

Species video

https://youtu.be/J2dzzkDqd9Q https://youtu.be/J2dzzkDqd9Q

https://youtu.be/7p0CWyAhLes

Variety description

Ornamental, but edible chilli with a discrete hotness value - capseicin. Excellent ornamental effect due to copious berries.

Curiosities and special features

‘Capsicum’ is thought to derive from the Latin ‘capsa’ meaning ‘capsule’ or ‘box’, in reference to the fruits – known as berries – which are often hollow inside, whilst the term ‘peperoncino’ came into widespread use in the 20th century to refer to a small pepper and because of its similarity in heat to ‘Piper’, i.e. pepper.

Some varieties are commonly referred to as “ornamental chillies”, but this term should not be misleading, as some of them are also edible, containing a moderate amount of capsaicin, which gives them their characteristic pungent or spicy sensation.

In the English-speaking world, ornamental chilli varieties are known as ‘Christmas pepper plants’ as their fruits are often used for Christmas decorations.

Peppers, rich in fibre, minerals, vitamin A and vitamin C, are widely used in Mediterranean cuisine, both raw in salads and cooked, eaten on their own or as an ingredient in pasta, meat or fish dishes, baked, stuffed or preserved in oil; to make them easier to digest, we remove the seeds and white inner membranes, and we eat the fruits when ripe. Chilli peppers, a source of B vitamins, vitamin C and potassium, are also prized in cooking for adding a unique flavour to a wide range of dishes.

Also worth mentioning is paprika, a spice obtained by grinding sweet peppers or chillies.

Origin and distribution

According to phytogenetic research and archaeological findings, the wild ancestor of the C. annuum species is native to Central and South America, where it was domesticated by indigenous peoples in what is now Mexico some 6,000–7,000 years ago, through the selection of different cultivars based on shape, size and degree of spiciness of the berries, which were an important food source for many local civilisations, including the Aztecs.

It was Christopher Columbus, on his return from one of his voyages to the New World, who brought the seeds to Europe; the plant subsequently spread across the continent, as far as Africa and Asia.

Capsicum annuum isthe species, amongst the five belonging to the genus Capsicum, most widely cultivated worldwide, with numerous varieties distinguished by the shape and colour of the fruits, as well as their content of capsaicinoid alkaloids, which give them their characteristic heat, measurable on the Scoville scale. Of particular interest are the ornamental varieties, which add a unique touch to outdoor planters and flowerbeds.

Leaf

Leafs have elongated lamina.

Leaf colour

Plain colours.

Plant height

The plant’s height ranges from 0.15 to 0.2 m; for some varieties, it is advisable to use supports to prevent the plant from lodging under the weight of the fruit.

Lifespan

Cultivated as a Seasonal Cycle Plant.

Where to plant

This variety is suitable for growing on balconies, in outdoor planters, pots and window boxes.

Stem

It has a herbaceous stem and the plant has no thorns.

Flower

The flower is simple in shape, small in size, with plain-coloured petals. It is arranged in medium-sized umbel-like inflorescences. It flowers from mid-spring to early autumn, with a flowering period of between 120 and 150 days. It has a faint scent. It attracts beetles, bees and bumblebees.

Growth

This variety has a compact growth habit.

Plant habit

It grows into a globose shape.

Branching

The overall branching is abundant, giving the plant a proportionate habitus.

PH

For vegetable varieties, the ideal soil pH ranges from 5.5 to 7.0, whilst for ornamental varieties it ranges from 5.0 to 8.0.

Soil preparation

Before spring/summer transplanting, dig to a depth of 20–30 cm, removing any weeds, large stones and residues from previous crops. Then work in chemical or organic fertiliser, which will provide the necessary nutrients during the early stages of growth. Next, use a spade to break up the denser, coarser clods of soil to ensure better distribution of the fertiliser. To prevent harmful waterlogging, create a raised bed by slightly mounding the soil and, for vegetable varieties, prepare drainage furrows. Finally, carefully level the surface and mark out the planting holes.

During the growing season, use suitable tools such as a spade to loosen the topsoil to remove weeds from within the planting area and break up any surface crust.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

Sun exposure

To encourage abundant flowering and, consequently, a plentiful crop, place the plant in full sun and ensure it is watered adequately during the hottest periods.

Ideal climate and temperature

It prefers a warm and relatively humid climate. The ideal temperature is between 18 and 35 °C. Transplant outdoors once there is no longer any risk of frost, even late frosts.

We recommend avoiding extreme temperatures and instead maintaining the plant in optimal, moderate conditions of temperature and humidity.

Use

A variety highly regarded in the:
Agri-food Outdoor ornamental use

Hardiness

A highly hardy variety; by applying specific cultivation practices at the right times, excellent growth and final yield results will be achieved.

Soil

It prefers medium-textured, cool, well-drained and enriched soil; for growing in containers or pots, we recommend a specific horticultural compost or, for ornamental varieties, a substrate for spring-flowering plants.

Difficulty

It is easy to grow and requires little management effort.

Growing tips

Some specific care tips and cultivation guidelines for this variety:
Expose the plant to as much light as possible Avoid overwatering

Intercropping/combination

Vegetable varieties can be grown in mixed cultivation with watercress, lettuce and radishes.

Combinations with other plants

To create harmonious overall effects, in terms of both colour and perspective, we can use ornamental chilli in combinations with other species such asPelargonium, Tagetes patula orwith aromatic plants such as Lavandula angustifolia.

Planting

For planting in flowerbeds or in open ground, an average density of10 plants per square metre is recommended in order to ensure sufficient space for optimal vegetative growth, followed by abundant fruiting; Transplant young plants with roots that are not necrotic and are light in colour (white) rather than dark, and with a moist root ball, into a raised bed 15–20 cm high, ensuring the root collar remains slightly above the soil surface. Water immediately after planting, preferably in the morning, but without causing excessive waterlogging, which leads to root asphyxia.

For some vegetable varieties, it is advisable to install supports promptly, at least before flowering, using clips, raffia or twine, leaving sufficient space for the stem to grow and thicken.
However, positioning the stakes before transplanting would be optimal, as this would avoid damaging the roots, unlike when done after transplanting. Staking effectively counteracts the plant’s tendency to lodge, caused by fruit set and growth, which shifts the plant’s centre of gravity upwards.
If the plant lodges and the root ball tips over, several important roots are torn out; consequently, some or even many fruits may be exposed and scorched by the sun, rendering them unusable. Lodging consistently results in a much lower yield than normal, which is why staking is always recommended.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

Pruning

Harvest the fruit with clean-bladed secateurs when it reaches the size and colour of full ripeness, thereby encouraging subsequent flowering and fruit set, leading to gradual and continuous ripening.

Propagation

Propagation can be carried out by sowing seeds in containers.

Repotting

Any potting should be carried out in spring with young seedlings.

Watering

Do not subject the plant to water stress, as this could lead to a significant drop in final yield; during the hot summer months, it is necessary to water more frequently.
A balanced moisture level in both the atmosphere and the soil helps to prevent the presence or onset of diseases that are harmful to the plant and, in some cases, to the fruit as well.

Use rainwater, or alternatively tap water, either by hand or via an irrigation system.

Water immediately after transplanting and support the seedling to ensure proper rooting in its new location, maintaining the soil at a constant moisture level without allowing it to become waterlogged.

Thereafter, water until the soil is thoroughly saturated without causing waterlogging on the surface. Prevent periods of drought and avoid wetting the above-ground parts of the plant in the late afternoon or evening to prevent the development of fungal diseases; furthermore, always check the soil moisture level before watering.

To achieve the best results, water the plantation after the fruit has been harvested.

When sowing seeds, we recommend that, after burying the seed completely and covering it with growing medium and non-woven fabric, you keep the soil moist until the seedling emerges.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

Fertilising

Fertilisation must be carried out regularly and in a balanced manner.

Before transplanting, work an organo-mineral fertiliser into the soil to provide a base dressing, which helps ensure the seedlings have the nutrients they need during the early stages of growth.

After transplanting, during the growing season, it is advisable to apply a water-soluble fertiliser specifically designed for vegetable plants to the growing medium or soil; this should be diluted in the irrigation water according to the appropriate dosages and frequencies as indicated on the label of the product purchased. It is essential to ‘build up’ a well-developed plant before fruit set; otherwise, the fruit will not be shaded by the leaves and will inevitably suffer from sunscald.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

Care video

https://youtu.be/_HsBuq2CkbU

Pet safety

Avoid administration and take into account the specific case and the type of animal.

Edibility for humans

The berries of horticultural varieties and certain ornamental varieties are edible if harvested and stored correctly.

Toxicity for humans

Peppers and chillies contain solanine, which, if ingested in excessive quantities, can cause toxicity, as can the capsaicin found in hot chillies; consider each individual case with regard to any intolerances or contraindications relating to the person’s specific condition.

Tip

For optimum flowering and berry tying, avoid excess water. If there are bees or bumblebees, these promote fruit set. Pay close attention to the appearance of thrips at the flowering stage, which can malform the berries in the development phase.